Celebrate Earth Day with Climate Conversations!
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- focus on Earth
Day history and meaning;
- engage in a
conversation around climate change with an elderly relative/community member;
- learn about
real climate actions.
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW:
Introduction
Have you heard
that “Climate emergency” is the 2019 Oxford Word of the Year?
As defined by
Oxford Dictionaries, climate emergency is “a situation in which urgent action
is required to reduce or halt climate change and avoid potentially irreversible
environmental damage resulting from it.” Oxford’s data
showed that the use of “climate emergency” increased 100-fold (10,796%) over
the course of the year. The data also reflect the increasing use of “climate
emergency” among the scientific community. Last year on September 20, 4 million
people turned out worldwide for the largest climate strike in history. It`s time to EARTHRISE with a global call for
climate action! Especially today on the International Earth Day! Have you ever
heard about it?
Step 1. From
the history of Earth Day
1a. Study the
official site of Earth Day and learn about the origins of Earth Day.
1b. Watch the video
1c. Complete
Earth Day timeline
1970
|
The first
Earth Day mobilizes 20 million Americans to call for increased protections
for our planet
|
Earth Day goes
global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries
|
|
Earth Day
leverages the power of digital media to build millions of local conversations
across more than 180 countries
|
|
Earth Day
Network launches A Billion Acts of Green and The Canopy Project. Earth
Day 2010 engages 75,000 global partners in 192 countries
|
|
2020
|
Earth Day will
mark 50 years with global activations that aim to mobilize a billion people
worldwide for transformative action for our planet
|
1d. Who are Rachel Carson, Gaylord Nelson, Denis Hayes?
What is their contribution to Earth Day history?
1e. Say what facts surprised you. Why?
Step 2. Earth
Day 2020
The theme for
Earth Day 2020 is climate action. The enormous challenge — but also the vast
opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the
most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and
the life-support systems that make our world habitable. Is it really the
biggest? Let`s talk about then and now.
2a. Connect with an elderly relative, either online or
on the phone and engage in a conversation about climate change. Ask them how
the world has changed since they were young.
2b. Look
through the
list of questions, rearrange the questions into three groups.
Weather
|
Food
|
Transport
|
|
Do
temperatures
seem hotter or
colder?
|
2c. What other topic can you ask them about? Brainstorm
a series of questions on it and complete the fourth column of the table.
2d. Share your findings with the class.
2e. Prove that climate has changed our planet.
Step
3. Climate Action
Action doesn`t
mean just talking. There is simply no time to waste and 2020 is a key turning
point for our planet. We need urgent and ambitious action at every level, from
heads of state to private sector leaders and individual citizens using their
unique influence to drive change and make an impact. Everyone has the ability
to do something to address our climate challenge, but we can all still do more.
What will you do?
3a. Read the article and learn about the ways of doing
about climate change.
3b. Comment on the way you are ready to join. Explain
your choice.
Step 4. Join
Earth Day!
If you are ready
to make a real step, you have several options to choose from.
4e. Tell your friends, parents, peers about Earth Day;
4f. Take part in Earth Day, details are here.
And remember
that together we can SAVE the Earth:
Speak up
Act
Vote
Educate
Act
Vote
Educate
References:
